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Nelson Clarke, Seaman

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Captain Nelson Clarke, Proprietor Seaside Inn (1921 – 1927)

 

Beacon
Oct 5/1893
Jack Ashore
Two Skippers Break the World’s Slowest Record on Wheels
Two well-known skippers—Capt. Pratt of the Dominion fishery cruiser, Curlew, and Capt. Nellie Clarke, who is home on a furlough—made a desperate attempt on Wednesday to break the world’s slowest record on bicycles. The contestants were about evenly matched as to experience, Captain Pratt having been a wheelman of four days’ standing—or falling, while Capt. Clarke had been making a close inspection of the gutters, sidewalks and fences with his wheel for about an equal length of time.
            The start, says the Beacon’s marine editors, was a flying one, each craft passing the starting buoy with hatches tightly battened down, and every stitch of canvas spread. The skippers grasped the tillers with the grip of desperation. Of the two, Capt. Clarke was the first to get on an even keel, and with the wind on his quarter he was able to lay a straight course for the first buoy. His opponent meanwhile was steering wildly. Opposite Cockburn’s drug store he mis-stayed and was carried across the bow of a turnip “dingey,” narrowly escaping the loss of his job-boom and head-gear. He lost several seconds by this mishap, but it was evident from the determined look that settled down on his face as he brought his craft up in the wind again, that he had made up his mind that his prestige as a commander of a warship would be forever gone if he allowed himself to be whipped by an ordinary everyday merchantman. So, hauling in his weather-braces, and pressing on his craft all the canvas she could carry, me hade attack in the direction of his rival, who was now floundering in a heavy cross sea on the cross street. He succeeded in running up under his stern, and in a trice was on even terms with him. Both crews were now laboring heavily, their figureheads being drenched with spray and their decks at times awash. Rounding the second turn, the wind died away, and both skippers were in the “doldrums.” Capt. Pratt was the first to get a breeze, but his steering chain became entangled in his pants leg, and he was almost thrown on his beam ends. When he righted himself, his opponent had again passed him, but it was not long before they were bow and bow once more. Capt. Clarke tried to give his rival his back-water, but the attempt nearly ended in splitting his main-sail. The wind dying out, it was a drift the balance of the course.
            The umpire decided the race a tie, declaring the world’s slowest record smashed beyond repair, and ordered the race to be sailed over gain. The racers agreed to carry out eh decision, as soon as they had taken in water and ballast and made necessary repairs, but up to the present writing it has not come off.

 

Beacon
Aug 21/1902
Captain Nelson M. Clarke has begun some very important improvements on his property on Water street. The Stinson house, on the corner alongside his residence, which was purchased by him, is to be moved back to the rear and the ground upon which it stood will be made into a lawn. Another story will be added to his dwelling. Other improvements are also contemplated.

 

Beacon
October 2, 1902
Improvements
Extensive improvement and additions are being made to Capt. N. M. Clarke’s dwelling on Water Street. The roof ahs been lifted up so as to give additional rooms upstairs; two bay windows have been lace din front, and there has been a large addition made on the northern side. The corner building, formerly occupied by Miss Stinson, has been moved to the rear. The stone foundations for the new work were constructed by Mr Charles Horsnell, Messrs. Angus and Owen Rigby are doing the carpenter work.  When complete the dwelling will be one of the handsomest in St. Andrews.

 

Beacon
Nov 27/190
Handsome Residence
The residence on Water Street, near the railway station, which is being erected by Capt. Nelson Clarke, will, when completed, be one of the handsomest in town. Though not expensively constructed, its broad verandahs, graceful cupola and ornamental exterior attract the eye at once. The grounds about it have been artistically graded and a neat hedge planted. Capt Clarke expects to return it he spring and finish his dwelling.

 

Beacon
May 21/1903
Capt. Nelson M. Clarke’s new abode is receiving the finishing touches. When completed it will be one of the prettiest residences in town. The grounds around it are being laid out in flower beds and other wise beautified.

 

Beacon
April 13/1905
The old Watson foundry property, which as not been used for manufacturing purposes for several years, has been purchased by Capt. N. M. Clarke, who will remove the old buildings thereon and beautify it.

 

Beacon
June 21, 1917
Capt. N. M. Clarke has recently purchased an automobile.

 

St. Croix Courier
April 7/1927
Capt. M. N. Clarke of New York spent a few days here at Seaside Inn with Mrs. Clarke and his daughter Miss Marjorie Clarke.

 

St. Croix Courier
April 28/1927
Miss Marjorie Clarke enlarging Seaside Inn and having a tennis court made.  Albert Denley building bungalow on Parr St.